MTCC to strengthen bus service regulations (following fatal accident)

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plc (MTCC) CEO Hassan Shah, on Tuesday, stated that the guidelines for public bus services are being revised.

The statement was made after the death of a Ukranian woman in an accident on May 6. Police declared that the driver ran the woman over as he was driving while drowsy. The bus driver was detained for questioning.

“Crowd management, anger management and firefighting classes are being conducted”, he said.

According to Shah, the government and MTCC consider the public’s safety a priority.

He added that while none of the permanently employed bus drivers were identified as taxi drivers, the matter is still being investigated.

“We are viewing the drivers’ policy records in collaboration with the Transport Authority”.

The CEO added that bus drivers’ licenses are being verified and cameras will be installed in buses which will allow the control room to view live footage of the drivers’ actions.

He further mentioned the bus drivers will sign a declaration form or a consent form at the start of the day in order to prevent accidents.

MTCC bus drivers have eight-hour shifts. However, they spend nearly four hours driving.